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^  Cfjapel  in  Cberp  ||ome 


By 


JOSEPH    R.  WILSON,  LL.  B. 


OF  TKE  \ 


'^       OF 

UNivERsny 

OF 


J^M. 


1  ' 


Copyright,  igog 

BY 

JOSEPH  R.  WILSON 

Registered  at 

Stationers'   Hall 

London,  Eng. 


This  work  is  dedicated  to  the 
greater  glory  of  God  and  the 
bringing  of  man  into  a  closer 
relation   with   his   Creator 


187256 


All   humanity  is   hungering   for  Religion 


Let  us  make  it  a  permanency  in  the  household 


*'A   place  for  prayer  implies  a  time  for  it " 


Let  us  consecrate  one  room  in  our  homes,  no  matter  how 

small,  to  the  worship  of  God 


**The  Church  and  the  State  both  depend  for  vigor  and 

stability  upon  the  home" 


"If  Pagan  Rome  had  domestic  shrines  for  household  gods, 

surely  Christian  America  ought  to  have  domestic 

shrines  for  the  one  God" 


A  Chapel  in   Every  Home 


To  All  Who  Worship  God,  Irrespective  of  Creed  or  Denomination  : 

"  If  pagan  Rome  had  domestic  shrines  for  household  gods,  surely  Christian  America 
ought  to  have  domestic  shrines  for  the  one  God."  So  wrote  my  dear  friend,  the  late  Dr. 
George  Dana  Boardman,  of  Philadelphia,  in  response  to  my  request  for  his  opinion  on  an 
article  written  by  me  over  ten  years  ago  setting  forth  the  thought  that  every  home,  no  matter 
how  humble,  should  have  in  it  a  little  chapel ;  a  room  sacred  to  the  worship  of  God,  into 
which  any  inmate  could  retire  at  any  time  and  commune  with  his  or  her  Maker. 

I  submitted  the  article  to  other  prominent  churchmen,  inviting  their  opinion  thereon 
and  many  responded.  On  October  30,  1898,  the  article  was  published  simultaneously  in 
the  New  York  Herald  and  the  Philadelphia  Press  with  the  opinions  attached  thereto, 
including  those  of  the  late  Bishops  Potter,  of  New  York  ;  Coleman,  of  Delaware,  and 
Neeley,  of  Maine. 

Since  that  time  the  words,  "A  chapel  in  every  home,"  have  been  beckoning  me  on — 
in  the  daylight,  in  the  darkness,  on  the  street,  in  my  office  and  in  my  home.  At  the 
last  named  place  it  has  long  existed  as  a  reality,  the  most  loved  spot  in  the  household, 
consecrated  by  the  Church  and  used  daily  by  the  members  of  my  family  for  their  devotions. 

"A  chapel  in  every  home  "  rings  in  my  ears  like  the  voice  of  God  calling  me  to 
deliver  His  message  to  His  people — in  the  homes  of  the  rich,  in  the  homes  of  the  poor — 
a  place  for  prayer,  dedicated  to  Him,  and  I  predict  that  the  time  will  come  when  no  house 
will  be  considered  a  Christian  habitation  unless  it  has  its  little  chapel  specially  constructed 
for  worship,  and  that  future  generations  will  look  back  with  pity  to  the  days  when  the 
chapels  were  only  known  in  the  homes  of  the  wealthy  or  of  the  clergy. 

Before  me,  however,  looms  the  problem  of  the  crowded  tenements,  the  densely  popu- 
lated flats  and  the  hovels  where  humanity  is  huddled  together  in  poverty  and  rags,  where 
every  inch  of  space  is  vitally  necessary  to  life  itself,  to  breathe  in,  eat  and  sleep  in.  Where 
is  there  any  room  for  a  chapel,  no  matter  how  small,  under  such  conditions  ? 

My  answer  is,  there  is  no  room  in  such  places  as  they  exist  today.  A  place  for  prayer 
was  not  in  contemplation  when  they  were  built.  Let  us  not  then  exclaim  "  impracticable  " 
because  physical  conditions  are  not  ideal  for  the  immediate  adoption  of  the  chapel  in  the 
home,  in  every  home  throughout  the  world.  Let  us  commence  where  the  ideal  conditions  do 
exist. 

The  present  tenements,  flats  and  hovels  cannot  last  forever.  New  and  modern  struct- 
ures for  the  poor  are  being  built  all  the  time,  affording  the  opportunity  for  owner  and 
architect  to  combine  investment  and  utility  with  work  for  the  Master,  for  "  where  God  has 
given  a  roof,  there  he  expects  an  altar." 

My  own  little  chapel  is  less  than  six  feet  square,  yet  so  far  it  has  been  large  enough 
for  all  our  needs.  When  I  moved  into  my  present  home  some  years  ago,  there  it  awaited  me 
already  built,  at  the  head  of  the  stairway  on  the  second  floor,  with  a  colored  glass  window  in 
it,  just  as  if  I  had  designed  it.  It  was  probably  intended  for  a  sewing  room  or  some  other 
domestic  purpose.     I  accepted  the  mute  invitation  and  it  at  once  became  the  chapel.     We 

5 


fitted  it  up,  had  it  consecrated,  and  have  used  it  daily  ever  since.  There  are  similar  rooms  in 
many  homes  all  over  the  world  waiting  their  consecration  and  dedication  to  Almighty  God. 

The  chapel  in  every  home  must  come  in  time ;  it  will  come,  and  its  effect  will  be  to 
bring  the  presence  of  God  into  thousands  of  homes  in  which  He  would  otherwise  be  unknown. 
The  late  Bishop  Potter  wrote  me,  "a  place  for  prayer  implies  a  time  for  it,"  and  since  he 
sent  me  that  message  I  have  learned  its  truth  by  experience,  and  can  add  that  in  addition 
to  the  place  and  the  time,  my  own  little  chapel  has  proved  an  invitation  so  irresistible 
that  I  have  found  myself  on  my  knees  within  its  portals  as  many  times  outside  the  regular 
hours  for  prayer  as  within  them. 

A  row  of  houses  for  workingmen  will  be  built  by  some  pioneer  with  a  little  chapel, 
say  six  feet  long  and  four  wide  in  each  house,  with  a  colored  glass  window  at  the  end  to 
suggest  an  atmosphere  of  sanctity,  the  sill  of  which  may  constitute  the  altar.  Some  may 
use  it  as  a  store  room  or  for  any  other  profane  purpose,  but  some  one  in  the  row  will  use 
the  little  chapel  in  the  home  as  a  place  for  prayer  and  others  will  copy.  It  may  take 
hundreds  of  years  to  bring  man  to  a  realization  that  he  is  behind  the  pagans  in  his  attitude 
toward  his  God ;  but  again,  I  predict  that  the  time  will  come  when  people,  in  looking  for 
a  house  to  rent  or  buy,  will  ask,  "What  kind  of  a  chapel  has  it?"  and  the  chapel  in 
every  home  will  be  sweet  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord. 

I  cannot  let  this  thought  die — I  could  not  if  I  would — for  it  must  henceforth 
reverberate  down  the  avenue  of  time,  the  closer  relation  of  man  with  his  Maker  in  his 
everyday  life,  the  invitation  to  God  to  dwell  in  the  household,  the  chapel  in  the  home — 
every  home — henceforth  and  forever. 

When  the  hot  blood  of  anger  surges  through  the  veins  and  the  words  which  cut 
like  a  knife  accompany  the  cruel  blow,  when  husband  and  wife  forget  their  vows  made  at 
the  altar  and  in  the  presence  of  their  little  ones  turn  on  each  other  like  wild  beasts — in 
the  tumult  and  agony  of  human  weakness  and  suffering,  the  open  door  of  that  little  room 
sacred  to  God  will  utter  "peace."  Many  a  harsh  word  will  be  suppressed  by  a  sight  of 
that  open  door  and  the  presence  of  God  within.  Many  a  one  bowed  down  in  grief  and 
tribulation  will  find  comfort  there — kneeling  alone  with  Him  who  will  help  if  we  will  only 
let  Him,  and  a  great  joy  will  be  born  to  man  from  a  closer  personal  communion  with  his 
God. 

It  has  been  born  to  me,  and  often  on  my  knees  in  that  sacred  spot  in  my  home 
I  have  prayed  alone  against  despair  and  death,  and  though  death  prevailed  and  took  my 
loved  ones,  I  understood — it  was  all  right — and  peace  came  over  my  soul  so  sweet  that  I 
would  I  could  give  it  to  all  my  fellow  men.  And  in  the  daily  battle  of  life  I  have  found 
my  strength  and  inspiration  from  a  brief  communion  in  the  morning  with  my  Heavenly 
Father.  The  day's  toil  has  been  lightened  and  the  shadows  have  dissolved  before  the 
bright  confidence  I  carried  out  with  me  from  that  brief  communion. 

What  has  been  the  effect  of  the  Chapel  in  the  Home  on  the  attendance  of  my  family 
at  Church  ?  It  has  been  to  intensify  the  desire  for  congregational  worship,  to  create  a  joyous 
anticipation  of  the  Sabbath  when  the  worship  in  the  home  expands  into  worship  with  all 
people  in  the  greater  houses  of  God,  and  if  a  member  of  my  family  misses  Church  it  is  with 
a  feeling  in  the  heart  that  something  has  been  lost  which  will  never  return.     The  Sabbath  is 

6 


a  glorious  day  in  my  home.  My  children  have  been  raised  with  God  in  their  midst,  and  it  is 
love  and  not  fear  that  takes  them  to  Church  or  Sunday  School.  The  peace  and  sanctity 
of  that  little  chapel  in  which  they  have  assembled  so  often  is  reflected  in  their  lives.  If  I 
could  tell  all  that  Chapel  has  done  for  me  and  my  loved  ones,  there  is  not  a  man  who 
believes  in  God  who  would  allow  another  day  to  pass  without  planning  one  for  his  own  home. 

Some  of  the  great  and  good  men,  whose  letters  on  this  subject  I  have  had  reproduced 
for  the  benefit  of  the  world,  have  passed  beyond  the  Great  Divide,  but  their  words  of 
encouragement  and  approval  are  already  cemented  into  the  foundation  of  this  movement  for 
all  time.  Others,  whose  letters  are  reproduced,  still  live  to  help  in  the  work  of  making  the 
Chapel  in  every  Home  practical  and  universal.  Let  the  Bishops,  High  Priests  and  Elders  of 
the  world  unite  with  the  Clergy  to  bring  the  thought  home  to  every  congregation,  and  by 
this  means  it  will  have  the  spiritual  force  through  human  channels  which  will  hasten  that 
day  which  the  Almighty  God  intends  to  come  when  a  habitation  will  be  provided  for  Him  in 
every  home. 

After  years  of  waiting,  I  feel,  at  last,  that  the  world  is  ripe  to  again  receive  the 
message.  All  humanity  is  hungering  for  religion.  The  hand  of  sickness,  sorrow  and  death 
is  leaning  heavily  on  many  households,  and  it  is  at  such  times  that  eyes  are  cast  heavenward 
for  comfort.  If  our  eyes  were  as  often  cast  heavenward  in  times  of  health  and  prosperity  as 
they  are  in  times  of  sickness,  we  would  be  better  men  and  women,  and  there  would  be  more 
charity  in  the  world.  If  we  had  God  in  our  hearts  as  much  as  in  our  heads,  domestic 
devotion  would  not  be  dying  out,  but  would  be  a  loving  daily  communion  with  Our  Father 
in  Heaven.  Again,  I  refer  to  that  sentence  In  Bishop  Potter's  letter,  "a  place  for  prayer 
implies  a  time  for  it."  Let  us  consecrate  one  room  in  our  home,  no  matter  how  small,  to 
the  worship  of  God,  and  make  provision  hereafter  for  the  chapel  in  every  home. 

Whoever  reads  these  lines  I  invite  to  come  forward  and  help  me  in  this  generation  in 
carrying  the  thought  and  suggestion  as  far  as  we  can.  The  "  Chapel  in  every  Home  "  will 
indeed  "  deepen  the  religious  life  and  be  a  safeguard  against  irreverence  and  wrong  doing  in 
the  family,"  and  become  a  tower  of  strength  among  men  in  developing  a  loftier  purity  in 
domestic  life,  and  greater  love  and  charity  toward  all. 

I  am  unable  to  print  more  than  a  very  limited  number  of  this  message,  but  there  will 
be  sufficient,  I  hope,  to  reach  the  leading  churchmen  and  all  rulers.  From  everyone  who 
receives  it  I  ask  an  expression  of  his  views  thereon,  as  it  is  my  intention  that  when  the 
message  goes  forth  for  the  third  time  it  shall  speak  with  the  eloquence  of  the  world's 
greatest  minds,  and  the  suggestion  of  a  chapel  in  every  home  will  no  longer  be  the 
thought  of  an  individual,  but  the  acclaimed  demand  of  the  civilized  world  for  a  "  closer  walk 
with  God." 

Your  comrade  in  the  Lord's  service, 

Philadelphia,  Pa.,  U.  S.  A.,  October  i,  1909. 


COPIED  FROM 

THE  PHILADELPHIA  PRESS,  SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  30,  1898 

Copyright,  1898 

A  religious  atmosphere  is  so  essential  to  a  true  home  that  it  is  strange  the 
thought  of  incorporating  a  small  chapel  in  every  house  has  not  presented  itself  before 
this  to  the  Christian  world. 

In  most  American  homes  a  room  no  larger  than  a  bath  room  would  answer  all 
requirements.  Its  sacred  character  could  be  imparted  by  a  colored-glass  window,  tiny 
altar,  prie  dieu  and  other  religious  emblems,  in  consonance  with  the  views  of  individual 
worshipers. 

It  is  quite  probable  that  the  existence  of  a  spot  thus  hallowed  in  every  house 
would  have  a  decidedly  beneficial  effect  on  the  inmates,  for  there  are  times  when,  either 
in  trouble  or  sickness,  the  heart  longs  for  communion  with  God  in  some  quiet  chamber, 
from  which  the  garish  light  of  day  has  been  excluded. 

With  a  room  specially  created  for  this  purpose,  dedicated  to  worship  and  flooded 
with  a  tender  atmosphere,  breathing  of  sacredness  and  tranquillity,  a  yearning  would  be 
satisfied  and  a  custom  established  that  would  find  many  sympathizers. 

The  nearest  approach  to  this  is  perhaps  found  in  the  homes  of  devout  Christians 
who  have  dedicated  a  corner  of  their  bed  rooms  to  worship,  and  placed  there  the  symbols 
of  their  faith,  before  which  they  kneel  while  offering  up  their  orisons. 

Up  to  the  present  day  a  chapel  in  connection  with  the  households  of  private 
individuals  has  been  confined  exclusively  to  those  born  to  high  estate  or  to  the  wealthy. 

In  England  and  on  the  Continent,  each  royal  residence  has  its  chapel,  in  some 
instances  dating  back  centuries,  and  many  members  of  the  nobility  and  landed  gentry 
have  copied  the  example  and  erected  within  their  castle  walls  or  on  their  large  estates 
private  chapels  for  the  exclusive  use  of  the  members  of  the  family  and  the  tenantry. 

The  idea,  which  dates  back  to  the  medieval  ages,  has  also  impressed  itself  upon 
a  small  percentage  of  those  who  have  amassed  or  inherited  wealth,  and  there  are  instances, 
both  in  this  country  and  abroad,  where  in  the  construction  of  the  modern  palatial  residence 
as  much  attention  has  been  paid  to  the  chapel  as  to  the  art  gallery. 

Colleges,  universities,  large  private  schools,  hospitals  and  like  institutions  may  be 
cited  as  a  half-way  step  between  the  church  and  the  private  dwelling.  They  afford  an 
illustration  of  the  advantages  derived  from  having  a  private  place  of  worship  in  connection 
with  each  institution.  The  addition  of  a  private  chapel  gives  a  fullness  and  completeness  to 
the  institution,  affording  a  religious  influence  essential  to  the  realization  of  its  noblest  objects. 

But  to  go  back  to  the  idea  of  a  chapel  for  every  house,  apart  from  its  usefulness 
in  providing  a  special  chamber  for  spiritual  communion,  it  would  mean  the  introduction 
of  an  entirely  new  atmosphere  in  a  household,  and  distill  a  purity  and  dignity  unobtain- 


able  from  any  other  source.  It  could  be  made  a  little  temple  into  which  one  could  retire 
at  any  time  and  feel  as  far  removed  from  the  sordid  interests  of  life  as  in  the  precincts 
of  the  church. 

Further,  it  would  be  a  universal  acknowledgment  of  the  supreme  value  of 
religion  in  the  activities  of  everyday  existence. 

With  such  a  foundation  to  build  on,  one  need  not  go  very  far  out  of  his  way  to 
make  the  suggestion  an  accomplished  fact  and  become  the  possessor  of  a  private  chapel 
of  more  or  less  beauty  or  simplicity  for  the  use  of  his  household. 

As  with  every  radical  innovation  of  sweeping  character,  it  is  not  only  necessary  to 
prove  its  value,  but  to  find  some  vulnerable  point  in  the  armor  of  old-established  custom  and 
tradition  through  which  the  shaft  of  light  can  pass.  The  history  of  most  innovations  will 
show  that  they  were  first  praised,  then  opposed  and  condemned  and  finally  accepted  by  all. 

In  this  instance  the  question  resolves  itself  into  one  of  appeal  to  those  whose 
condition  of  enlightenment  makes  them  amenable  to  that  which  would  elevate  and 
ennoble ;  in  other  words,  bring  religion  closer  to  them  by  establishing  a  private  place  of 
worship  in  their  house. 

At  first  thought,  it  would  almost  appear  that  such  a  suggestion  was  intended  to 
interfere  with  the  prerogatives  of  the  Church  by  inviting  people  to  worship  at  home  instead 
of  congregating  together  in  the  larger  edifices. 

On  the  contrary,  the  suggestion  of  a  chapel  in  every  house  is  intended  to  strengthen 
the  love  for  religious  worship  by  providing  a  link  between  home  and  church,  in  which  the 
teachings  of  the  Sabbath  may  be  digested  throughout  the  week  days,  and  continually 
suggested  by  the  presence  of  sacred  symbols. 

Add  to  this  the  absolute  necessity  of  a  place  of  worship  for  those  who  are  confined 
to  the  house  by  sickness,  and  for  the  early  association  of  little  lives  with  the  sentiment 
and  atmosphere  of  religion. 

The  reality  of  such  surroundings  could  not  fail  to  have  an  impressive  effect,  and 
it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  it  would  aid  the  young  in  concentrating  their  minds  upon 
the  prayer  or  hymn  selected  for  the  morning  or  evening  devotional  exercises.  In  this 
home  chapel,  children  could  be  trained  from  early  infancy. 

But  the  allurements  of  such  a  retreat  are  so  manifold  that  the  subject  opens  the 
way  to  a  volume  of  reasons  why  a  private  chapel  should  exist  in  every  household,  whereas 
it  is  the  intention  of  the  writer  to  simply  suggest  such  an  innovation. 

A  practical  beginning  could  be  made  in  this  direction  in  the  many  new  building 

operations  now  going  on  and  being  formulated.     Plans  could  be  altered  so  as  to  include 

a  small  chapel,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  the  day  is  not  far  distant  when  house  seekers  will 

not   be   satisfied  with   any   house    unless   one    room,    no    matter    how   small,    is   specially 

constructed  for  private  worship. 

JOSEPH  R.  WILSON. 

9 


A  proof  of  the  foregoing  article  was  submitted  to 
distinguished  Churchmen  throughout  the  United  States 
and  abroad,  prior  to  its  publication,  with  a  request  for  their 
views  on  the  suggestion,  and  among  replies  received  were 
the  following : 


lO 


II 


^-^^A^  Z§^i^^<^^^-€2^^  c^.^'i^e^^''^^^.^^1^J^^ 


2^ou4i^,^o/^  ,..Me4^^-J. 


lotu^,  o\  h^^-^-J^-^  ^ 


^r^^^   .      ^    h^-^^  T"   ^ 


64- 


t^A/U^        i^^    ^   ,       ^^.^^^-rW 


*X^^.    — ^    4^- 


12 


The  late  Right  Rev.  Henry  C.  Potter,  Bishop  of  New 
York. 


THE  GENERAL  CONVENTION 
House  of  Bishops 

Washington,  D.  C,  October  24,  1898. 
My  Dear  Joe  : 

Your  article  as  to  private  Chapels  or  Oratories  is 
admirable  and  most  timely.  We  are  losing  the  habit  which 
was  so  powerful  an  element  in  the  life  of  our  fathers  of 
domestic  devotion.  A  place  for  it  implies  a  time  for  it,  and 
a  devotional  atmosphere  recalls,  sobers  and  uplifts.  In 
creating  such  an  atmosphere,  fit  environment  is  a  most 
important  factor. 

Yours  ever, 

H.  C.  Potter. 
Joseph  R.  Wilson,  Esq. 


13 


^.-m^^^mrx-  >*y    ^^^L^f'^-<^iL>'ii^  ^^uk^ 


^^'^^"-•y^  .-*-  ^^?L-.*«t.-<--^5^C'^ 


.^i:^f;sy<-f^-^ 


14 


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^ 


^■?-^~^**' 


^7^/^^^^^^ry.^iy&i^ 


IS 


i6 


The  late  Right  Rev.  Leighton  Coleman,  Bishop  of  Delaware : 


The  subject  upon  which  I  have  been  asked  to  write  is  one  in 
regard  to  which  I  have  always  felt  much  interest  and  anxiety. 

I  have  always  felt  this  great  interest  because  the  matter  is  one 
of  such  vital  concern  to  all  the  families  of  the  land.  Hardly  anything, 
indeed,  is  more  a  matter  of  vital  concern.  It  has  to  do  with  our  most 
intimate  relations  with  God,  and  with  one  another  Family  Prayer  is 
one  of  the  three  great  divisions  of  Prayer — Private,  Family  and  Public. 

Negligence  concerning  it  in  any  one  of  these  parts  is  sure  to  entail 
great  spiritual  loss. 

My  anxiety  arises  from  a  belief  that  there  is  a  widespread  neglect 
of  family  worship.  In  this  respect  there  has  been,  I  fear,  a  marked 
decadence  during  the  past  few  years. 

Anything,  therefore,  that  will  to  any  degree  conduce  to  a  better 
observance  of  this  duty,  as  I  esteem  it,  has  my  warmest  sympathy.  It 
is  as  believing  that  the  reservation  in  every  home  of  an  apartment,  or 
the  erection  in  connection  with  every  home  of  a  chapel,  where  family 
worship  may  be  regularly  held  is  a  distinct  gain  in  this  direction  that  I 
would  advocate  such  an  arrangement  with  all  my  heart. 

Having  at  my  residence  at  Wilmington  such  a  chapel,  I  can  write 
all  the  more  emphatically  of  the  many  advantages  belonging  to  such 
a  building. 

The  setting  apart  of  some  particular  edifice,  or  portion  of  edifice, 
for  this  purpose  is  a  distinct  addition  to  the  spiritual  power  of  every 
household  and  to  the  religious  education  of  every  member  thereof 

I  would  further  recommend  that  every  one  in  his  or  her  bed  room 
have  a  particular  place  where  one's  private  prayers  shall  be  said  when 
the  chapel  is  not  so  employed.  If,  in  addition,  a  prie  dieu,  not  by  any 
means  a  costly  article  of  furniture,  were  set  up  in  every  chamber  and 
used  exclusively  in  one's  devotions,  much  comfort  and  profit  would  be 
found  to  follow  such  an  arrangement. 

I   am  writing   in   the  midst  of  exacting  duties  at  our  General 

Convention  and,  therefore,  can  by  no  means  do  justice  to  this  most 

important  and  interesting  subject  of  whose  public  presentation  I  am 

very  glad  to  hear. 

Leighton  Coleman, 

Bishop  of  Delaware. 

House  of  Bishops, 

Washington,  D.  C,  October  20,  1898. 


17 


The  Right  Rev.  John  Scarborough,  Bishop  of  New 
Jersey. 


THE  GENERAL  CONVENTION 
House  of  Bishops 

October  24,   1898. 
My  Dear  Sir: 

"  The  Church  in  the  House "  is  as  old  as  the  New 
Testament  and  is  not  unknown  in  this  day.  I  know  a 
good  many  homes  that  are  now  supplied  with  "  Oratories," 
or  places  of  prayer  for  the  family.  If  all  homes  could 
have  such  a  room  set  apart,  it  would  be  most  desirable. 
But,  of  course,  only  the  homes  of  the  well-to-do  could  be 
so  enriched.  The  homes  of  the  poor  are  too  often 
crowded  and  cramped. 

Where  it  is  possible,  it  would  be  most  desirable  that 
your  proposition  should  be  carried  out. 
Yours,  etc., 

John  Scarborough, 

Bishop  of  New  Jersey. 
Mr.  Jos.  R.  Wilson. 


19 


HOUSE  OF  BISHOPS. 


/^     ^V.     ^^fS 


1  ^ 


ao 


The  late  Right  Rev.  H.  A.  Neely,  Bishop  of  Maine. 


HOUSE  OF  BISHOPS 

October  24,   1898. 
Mr.  Joseph  R.  Wilson. 

My  Dear  Sir  : 
I  can  think  of  no  more  wholesome  provision  for 
any  Christian  household  than  that  of  a  Chapel  in  the 
house.  Many  considerations  could  be  urged  for  it,  of 
which  I  name  but  one,  viz. :  that  it  would  go  far  to  assure 
the  maintenance  of  family  worship,  which  I  fear  is  becoming 
sadly  neglected  among  us. 

In  haste. 

Truly  yours, 

H.  A.  Neely. 


ai 


^^^ 


e  IBroteslant  dBnisfODal  (JChnrch  ^ 


%\i  General  Conbtnlion  ^\\i  |roteslant  OEpisro^ai  CJnrc^. 


HOUSE  OF  BISHOPS. 


^^,^'^^^^^M-<>^<..x^6^./^^*-t.<^2{i?^-u^ 


^  —      "^Cvt/   -'^^<..yt^ 


//^<3t„t,i22^2Sa&<y      /;;-Z.-</^-»-«-<'-^  / 


/lo€/^^^     ^    ^^C^-^i^^c. 


The  Right  Rev.  Anson  R.  Graves,  Bishop  of  Laramie. 


THE  GENERAL  CONVENTION   OF  THE    PROT- 
ESTANT EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 
House  of  Bishops 

At  Waterbury,  Conn.,  October  28,   1898. 
My  Dear  Mr.  Wilson: 

Your  beautiful  article  prepared  for  the  Evening 
Bulletin  has  just  reached  me  here,  too  late  for  me  to 
comply  with  your  request.  The  idea  of  a  Chapel  in  each 
home  is  a  beautiful  and  practical  one,  and  I  trust  your 
article  may  result  in  starting  a  movement  in  that  direction. 

Faithfully  yours, 

Anson  R.  Graves, 
Bishop  of  Laramie. 


24 


The  late  Right  Rev.  Thomas   M.  Clark,  Bishop  of 
Rhode  Island.  • 


Providence,  R.  I.,  November  7,   1898. 
Joseph  R.  Wilson,  Esq. 

Dear  Sir: 
In  reply  to  yours  of  the  5th  instant,  allow  me  to  say 
that  I  think  it  would  be  well,  whenever  it  is  practicable, 
that  there  should  be  a  room  in  every  home  especially 
consecrated  to  the  purposes  of  private  and  family  worship. 
I  enclose  an  article  which  I  have  recently  published 
which  may  serve  to  indicate  my  views  in  regard  to  the 
prevailing  neglect  of  family  devotions,  and  I  am  too  feeble 
at  present  to  say  anything  further. 

Faithfully  yours, 

Thomas  M.  Clark. 


36 


)   C j—U-^-w—    -CwTt   H*—  iv»«-    t***J^^^*<^ 


hu  ku^ll  iilJ*^ 


The  late  Right  Rev.  T.  U.  Dudley,  Bishop  of  Kentucky. 


Louisville,  Ky.,  Nov.  7,  1898. 
My  Dear  Sir: 

I  write  to  thank  you  for  your  letter  of  the  5th  inst. 
and  for  the  copy  of  your  article  entitled,  "A  Chapel  in 
Every  Home."  I  have  read  the  article  with  great  interest. 
I  hope  that  you  will  continue  to  write  on  the  same  lines 
because  I  am  persuaded  that  you  will  receive  help  to 
revive  what  is,  I  fear,  an  almost  lost  habit — that  of  family 
prayer. 

Sincerely  yours, 

T.  U.  Dudley, 

Bishop  of  Kentucky. 
Mr.  Joseph  R.  Wilson. 


THE   BISHOP'S   HOUSE. 

2T3T  CHESTNUT  ST., 

•T.    LOUI*.    MO. 


^  '>£uA  "(^iai  l^A.^^^^'^C^   ^^^'^ 


i^Wb,  jcMiMii^^ 


39 


The  Right  Rev.  Daniel  S.  Turtle,  of  Missouri. 

Presiding  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States. 


THE  BISHOP'S  HOUSE 
2727  Chestnut  St. 

St.  Louis,  Mo.,  November  11,  1898. 
Mr.  Joseph  R.  Wilson, 

The  Evening  Bulletin,  Philadelphia. 
Dear  Sir: — Many  thanks  for  yours  of  the  5th  and 
for  the  Press  with  your  article  therein. 

The  Church  and  the  State  both  depend  lor  vigor  and 
stability  upon  the  home.  Anything,  therefore,  emphasiz- 
ing the  vital  connection  between  the  "Church"  and  the 
"Home,"  as  your  suggestion  of  a  "Chapel"  does,  is  of 

value. 

Gratefully  yours, 

Dan'l  S.  Tuttle, 

Bishop  of  Missouri. 


3f» 


,^:^^i^ 


f^^^^^/"^:::^^ 


3» 


\^j'^^c^^>i!iltr'^^ 


The  Right  Rev.  William  F.  Nichols,   Bishop  of  California. 


THE  CHURCH  DIVINITY  SCHOOL 

San  Mateo,  Cal.,  November  19,   1898. 
My  Dear  Sir  : 

I  am  in  receipt  of  your  note  and  also  of  the  copy  of  the 
Philadelphia  Press  containing  an  article  on  "A  Chapel  in  Every 
Home." 

An    American    home   may  mean    a   mere    dwelling.     The 

inmates   may  have  a    common   table,    common    night   keys   and 

up  to  a  certain  extent  common  bills.     In  such  a  home  a  chapel 

would  probably  be  somewhat  like  family  plate,   kept  in  safety 

deposit  vaults — for  use  only  on  great  occasions.     But  in  what 

I   believe   is   the   far  more  typical  American  home,   where   the 

hearth  stone  is  cemented  and  sanctified  by  religion,  a  place  set 

apart  simple  and  sacredly  would  tend  to  make  some  member 

of    the  family  resolute,  and    that  oftentimes  is  what  is  needed 

in  a  Christian  family — to  sweeten  the  daily  life  with  at  least  a 

few  devotional  words  from  the  family  as  a  whole,  blessing  the 

joys  and  soothing  the  trials  as  they  come.     With  the  provision 

of  such  a  spot  in  the  architecture  for  a  Christian  home  there 

might  well  go  the  custom,  which  I  have  ever  found  welcomed 

in  California,  of  having  a  special  service  of  benediction  about 

the  time  of  the  opening  of  a  new  home.     I  am. 

Yours  very  truly, 

William  F.  Nichols. 
Mr.  Joseph  R.  Wilson, 

The  Evening  Bulletin, 

Philadelphia. 


33 


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^^s^  ^  'yti.  .^x^  ^f^lc^  /^^ 

/VW2^      CitiCjfi      ^fi-A^A^      /^t^^~C4^\A~^^ic.<K-0 


34 


35 


The  late  Right  Rev.  G.  Worthington,  Bishop  of  Nebraska. 


BISHOPTHORPE 

Omaha,  Neb.,  Nov.   19,   1898. 
Dear  Mr.  Wilson  : 

Thanks  for  the  copy  of  the  Philadelphia  Press  which  you 
kindly  mailed  to  my  address.  Over  thirteen  years  ago  I  built 
my  present  residence  in  this  city  and  arranged  for  an  Oratory 
which  is  sufficiently  large,  not  only  for  the  daily  offices  which 
are  said  there,  but  for  special  Episcopal  sets  as  occasion  requires. 
It  has  not  alone  been  a  great  convenience  to  one  in  my  position, 
but  it  has  been  in  many  ways  a  blessing  to  those  who  are 
members  of  my  household. 

I  doubt  not  that  a  special  place  for  prayer  and  praise, 
and  consecrated  by  the  daily  use  of  the  family  under  the  direction 
of  the  head  of  the  house,  who  is  Divinely  appointed  as  Priest  in 
the  home,  would  bring  a  sweet  benediction  to  those  who  desire 
communion  with  God,  and  believe  in  His  promise  that  "where 
two  or  three  are  met  together  in  My  name  there  am  I  in  the 
midst  of  them." 

Sincerely  yours, 

G.  Worthington. 


36 


37 


The  Right  Rev.  Leigh  R,  Brewer,  Bishop  of  Montana. 


New  York,  November  28,  1898. 
My  Dear  Mr.  Wilson  : 

Your  article  on  a  "Chapel  in  Every  Home"  is  deserv- 
ing of  serious  consideration.  It  would  add  to  the  sanctity 
of  the  home,  deepen  the  religious  life  and  be  a  safeguard 
against  irreverence  and  wrong  doing  in  the  family. 

Faithfully  yours, 

L.  R.  Brewer. 


38 


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Kuy,  (^-(l^f^ 


Al  Aa  /put  ^H^^vM^  JtA^'^-^ 


The    Right    Reverend    the    Bishop    of    Newcastle, 
England. 


From  the  Bishop  of  Newcastle. 

November  i8,   1898. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  think  it  would  be  an  excellent  thing  if,  wherever 
practicable,  a  small  Oratory  (call  it  what  you  will)  could 
be  set  apart  in  every  house  for  family  worship  and  where 
any  member  of  the  household  might  not  be  ashamed  to 
pray.  In  England  we  have  chapels  attached  to  many 
large  houses,  and  to  residences  of  Bishops  almost  without 
exception,  and  I  cannot  say  how  much  I  value  my  own, 

I  am. 

Faithfully  yours, 

Edgar  Newcastle. 

Mr.  J.  R.  Wilson. 


BISHOPIt    HOUSE. 
KENNINCTON    PARK.t. C. 


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41 


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43 


The  Right  Reverend  Bishop  of  Rochester,  England, 
Dictated 

BISHOP'S  HOUSE 

Kennington  Park,  S.  E.,  November  21,  1898. 
Dear  Sir  : 

I  have  received  and  glanced  at  your  article. 

The  suggestion  is,  I  think,  excellent  and  not  least  in 
a  country  where  house  building  is  such  an  art  as  it  is 
in  yours. 

The  value  of  a  thing  of  the  kind  will,  of  couse,  depend 
oh  the  spirit  in  which  it  is  done. 

To  make  a  toy  of  it  would  be  far  worse  than  not  to 
have  it  at  all. 

But  to  give  some  visible  expression  to  what  should  be 
the  sacred  center  of  every  home  life  must,  according  to 
every  principle,  be  right. 

In  this  connection,  I  was  struck  by  the  saying  of  a 
medical  friend  who  told  me  he  was  conscious  that  he  could 
give  an  opinion  better  and  more  effectively  in  his  con- 
sulting room  than  elsewhere. 

I  enclose  a  Pastoral  which  I  have  recently  issued  to 
my  Diocese  which  may  have  an  interest  for  you  in  con- 
nection with  your  proposal. 

Yours  very  faithfully, 

Edw.  Roffen. 


I ,j\Ay\j'^iA^ 


/^/^-t-^     *U^c^      i-*,^  '. 


A-.^ 


/r^ — 


The  late  Rev.  George  Dana  Boardman,  D.  D.,  LL.  D., 
for  thirty  years  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  of 
Philadelphia. 

Private 

HADDON  HALL 

Atlantic  City,  N.  J. 

My  Dear  Sir: 

On  my  return  from  the  Indian  Conference  at  Lake 
Mohawk,  I  found  on  my  table  your  esteemed  favor  of 
the  14th  instant,  which  had  been  forwarded  to  me  from 
Philadelphia.  I  mention  this  to  account  for  my  delay  in 
acknowledging  your  note. 

I  trust  that  the  accompanying  "  comment "  on  your 
suggestions,  although  brief,  may  be  useful. 

Gratefully  appreciating  your  noble  idea,  I  am. 

Your  comrade  in  the  Kingly  Service, 

George  Dana  Boardman. 

To  Mr.  Joseph  R.  Wilson, 

Philadelphia. 


..Attt/J  ^'^.^^/w^yY*^ 


Ifr,  Wilson's  idea  of  "A  Chapel  for  every  house* 
is  exceedingly  happy.  Were  the  idea  carried  out,  it 
would  tend  to  make  every  home  a  sacred  establishment; 
it  would  make  worship  a  daily  privilege  instead  of  a 
weekly;  it  would  make  worship  more  intensely  personal; 
it  would  help  us  to  obey  our  Master's  precept  of 
unostentation  in  worship  -  "When  thou  prayest,  enter 
into  thy  closet,  and  having  shut  thy  door,  pray  to 
thy  Father  who  sees  in  secret,*  If  pagan  Rome  had 
domestic  shrines  for  household  gods,  surely  Christian 
America  ought  to  have  domestic  shrines  for  the  one 


God. 


f-/-"^ 


/?< 


.0^'t.>V^4 


/  OF   THE      ^      X 

I    UNIVCK3iTY  I 
V  Of  / 


47 


HADDON   HALL 

Atlantic  City,  N.  J. 

Mr.  Wilson's  idea  of  a  "  Chapel  for  Every  House"  is 
exceedingly  happy.  Were  the  idea  carried  out,  it  would 
tend  to  make  every  home  a  sacred  establishment ;  it  would 
make  worship  a  daily  privilege  instead  of  a  weekly ;  it 
would  make  worship  more  intensely  personal ;  it  would 
help  us  to  obey  our  Master's  precept  of  unostentation  in 
worship,  "When  thou  prayest,  enter  into  thy  closet,  and 
having  shut  thy  door,  pray  to  thy  Father  who  sees  in 
secret."  If  pagan  Rome  had  domestic  shrines  for  house- 
hold gods,  surely  Christian  America  ought  to  have  domestic 
shrines  for  the  one  God. 

George  Dana  Boardman. 


48 


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OVERDUE. 


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31_100m-12,'«  (8796s) 


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